Fleas and Ticks

Flea & Tick Control and Prevention in Dallas Texas and the Surrounding Areas

Many people believe you need to have a dog or cat in order to have fleas and ticks in your house. This is not necessarily true! Fleas and ticks can just as easily ‘hitch a ride’ with the homeowners to gain entry to your house. They may also come inside on new carpeting or other items brought into the house. Fleas and ticks may carry diseases like Lyme disease, typhoid fever or tapeworms that can make humans (as well as pets) very sick.

If you believe you have a problem with fleas or ticks, call in the troops! Contact Markle Termite and Pest Control or call 972-279-1448 to have us review the situation and recommend a solution.

Flea Control

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans.

Habits: Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals. They infest both household pets and wild animals. Fleas use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8 inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally.

Habitat: Fleas usually remain on their warm-blooded hosts at all times. They can also be found on shoes, pant legs, or blankets, which can transfer the fleas to new environments. They are often found infesting squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and skunks in urban settings.

Threats: Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare Bubonic Plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious Flea Allergy Dermatitis in pets, and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy red bumps.

A flea will lay hundreds of eggs in its lifetime. Each egg hatches into a larvae and then will spin a cocoon (pupae) and will mature into an adult in as few as five days depending on the environment they are in. The adult fleas will then feed on your pet, then mate, and then lay eggs again. This life cycle is repeated over and over again until some type of control measure intervenes. The life cycle can last from one month to several months. Typhoid fever and the bubonic plague are the worst of the diseases that can be transmitted by fleas. Tapeworms may also be transmitted to cats, dogs, and even small children.

Tick Control

A few species of ticks may be common around buildings. The brown dog tick is the most common species that infests inside homes. Ticks are usually carried into homes & yards on dogs. Ticks transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, & tularemia.

The Black-legged tick is responsible for most Lyme disease cases in Northeast/Midwest. Lone Star tick & American dog tick also may transmit Lyme Disease. Removing a tick can be a tricky task. You can find detailed instructions on removing a tick safely at www.cdc.gov which is the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Be alert for signs of a rash or fever and if they develop you should consult your doctor.

There are several steps that need to be taken before treatment** is performed:

Have your pet treated at a vet or purchase products to put on your pet from a vet. Dipping your animal will only get the fleas off the pet that are on it it at the time you bathe it. They will not keep fleas or ticks off the animal. The flea pills or the product you put behind there neck from the vet seem to be the most effective and are vital to get fleas under control in your home or business.

The next step is to treat the house and yard to break the life cycle of the fleas and get control back of your house. There are four stages to a fleas life. Of those four stages the adult flea which is the only stage that bites you, is only 5% of the total population. However bad your problem is you are only seeing 5% of the problem. To gain control of fleas you have to go after all four stages. That is why it pays to seek a professional to get rid of your problem.

Vacuuming has been shown to reduce a flea population by 30% all by itself. You can get a large flea collar, cut it in three sections and put one section in your vacuum cleaner bag. Then you will not have to empty it every time you vacuum. Vacuuming should be done daily after a treatment because fleas respond to vibration and it will help stimulate them and get them into the treated areas. You need to pay particular attention to all areas that your pets hangs out including favorite chairs, beds, pet bedding etc.

For all areas being treated by a pest control professional these areas need to be clear of any clutter or debris so that the treatment will be effective.(including under the beds) If you are having your yard sprayed, you need to mow the lawn and also make sure that any clutter and debris are removed from the yard.

For more than 40 years we have proudly delivered safe and effective flea & tick control and treatment to the residents of Dallas, Texas and the surrounding Dallas / Ft. Worth Metroplex areas with a 100% Peace Of Mind Guarantee.

Markle Termite & Pest Mangement can eliminate all fleas & ticks in almost any situation. Don't make the mistake of trying to tackle Fleas & Ticks on your own! Our trained licensed technicians are just a phone call or click away. Give us a call at 972-279-1448 or fill in the Request For Service on the right.